flushing cooling system

[Pembroke]

since I've got radiator off to repair overflow tube, got to thinking about flushing cooling system. What's the best way and what do you use to flush the cooling system? Flush with thermostat, or NO? All comments are appreciated and wanted. Pembroke

 

[JD Dave]

Yes, go for the flush now. Remove the thermostat and coolant drain plugs in the block. Insert a garden hose in the top outlet to the radiator. Also, flush the radiator in this way before installation.

 

[Dean]

since I've got radiator off to repair overflow tube, got to thinking about flushing cooling system. What's the best way and what do you use to flush the cooling system? Flush with thermostat, or NO? All comments are appreciated and wanted. Pembroke

Advise against the use of "radiator flush" chemicals.

 

[old]

since I've got radiator off to repair overflow tube, got to thinking about flushing cooling system. What's the best way and what do you use to flush the cooling system? Flush with thermostat, or NO? All comments are appreciated and wanted. Pembroke

I flush cooling systems by filling with vinegar and run till warm cool drain and then back flush by way of the block drain but with the radiator off you cannot do that

 

[Texasmark]

Yes, go for the flush now. Remove the thermostat and coolant drain plugs in the block. Insert a garden hose in the top outlet to the radiator. Also, flush the radiator in this way before installation.

I recently bought a CIH 395 and the coolant looked like sand and was unable to see the top of the fins. I did as JD Dave said with the exception that to get at the upper radiator hose you need to remove the entire front cowling which was most difficult for me working alone.

I did as he recommended (removed the TStat) flushed it with the garden hose real good and put the hose back on the bottom and ran the tractor for awhile. Then when cooled off, drained out that water and flushed with the hose again. Installed a new TStat, refilled with 50--50 HD AF, installed a new cap, and now I can clearly see the top of the tubes with the reservoir about half full......allowing for expansion is where I like it. Temp runs up to the stat opening temp of 188F and just sits there working hard in the hot sun.

 

[Pembroke]

The radiator is clean. Just had it recored. $$$$ Thinking ahead on this OLD tractor that the block might need to be flushed is where I'm at now. Still no chemicals, correct? I've heard of the vinegar flush before. Does it work well and use nothing but vinegar to flush? Rinse with distilled water or just plain hard tap water?

 

[old]

The radiator is clean. Just had it recored. $$$$ Thinking ahead on this OLD tractor that the block might need to be flushed is where I'm at now. Still no chemicals, correct? I've heard of the vinegar flush before. Does it work well and use nothing but vinegar to flush? Rinse with distilled water or just plain hard tap water?

Vinegar works well because it dissolves both rust and lime deposits. Then after the have done the vinegar you back flush by way of the block drain with a garden hose. Just did that a couple weeks ago to my Oliver S88

 

[glennster]

The radiator is clean. Just had it recored. $$$$ Thinking ahead on this OLD tractor that the block might need to be flushed is where I'm at now. Still no chemicals, correct? I've heard of the vinegar flush before. Does it work well and use nothing but vinegar to flush? Rinse with distilled water or just plain hard tap water?

i use the vinegar flush also. rinse with water, then i mix a couple cups of baking soda with water, the fill the cooling system with it and more water. run the engine till warm, then drain flush and then fill with proper coolant. the baking soda neutralizes the acid in the vinegar.

 

[Dean]

The radiator is clean. Just had it recored. $$$$ Thinking ahead on this OLD tractor that the block might need to be flushed is where I'm at now. Still no chemicals, correct? I've heard of the vinegar flush before. Does it work well and use nothing but vinegar to flush? Rinse with distilled water or just plain hard tap water?

No flush chemicals unless you like to change water pumps.

 

[ss55]

since I've got radiator off to repair overflow tube, got to thinking about flushing cooling system. What's the best way and what do you use to flush the cooling system? Flush with thermostat, or NO? All comments are appreciated and wanted. Pembroke

Since you are already in it this far a new thermostat and water pump are not a big deal, might as well replace them now while they are easily accessible.

A chemical radiator flush works best when the engine can be run up to operating temperature to dissolve lime deposits, read the directions. Best done before removing the radiator for repair. If the radiator is already off, flush it cold with a water hose and no thermostat to try to rinse out the big chunks, rust flakes and some of the mud. If the rinse water and coolant passages look bad, maybe try a hot chemical flush without the radiator and no pressure on the cooling system before installing the new parts and radiator.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

liquid cascade in the top of the radiator add the water run. Drain. refill with water. drain again refill with coolant. done.

 

[wore out]

Advise against the use of "radiator flush" chemicals.

Today's "radiator flush chemicals" are MILD compared to the "old days"
and probably consist more of detergents and sludge removers vs. the stuff "back in the day" that would attack brass and solder if left in the system too long.

Provably not going to hurt anything, and, on the other hand not going to clean things up as much as the old stuff did.

 

[caterpillar guy]

I would just use the garden hose in the top hose connection at the engine and see what comes out maybe nothing and maybe a lot. If a lot keep washing till it quits then fill with your choice of dope and run it. I usually just run water in themfor a day then drain and refill not much work to do for a couple days and drain while hot so loose stuff comes out refill next morning each time then fill with coolant when done. You could also just run the hose in there with a restriction on the bottom hose without the radiator even on it. this would hold the engine full of water so you didn't get hot spots in the head and around the valves.

 

[Pembroke]

So What about putting in vinegar with distilled water (equal parts) with one hose on top Clamped, reaching to bottom and clamped, let run for a couple mins.? Let cool and drain and do it again same way second time. Then fill with distilled water and run for a couple mins and let cool and drain then fill with antifreeze after installing radiator. All comments welcome and THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS SO FAR. Very helpful. Pembroke

 

[MJMJ]

No point in mixing water and vinegar. Vinegar alone is a very weak acid and by itself is going to accomplish very little in that short of time. Mixing water with it will make it pointless.

 

[old]

So What about putting in vinegar with distilled water (equal parts) with one hose on top Clamped, reaching to bottom and clamped, let run for a couple mins.? Let cool and drain and do it again same way second time. Then fill with distilled water and run for a couple mins and let cool and drain then fill with antifreeze after installing radiator. All comments welcome and THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS SO FAR. Very helpful. Pembroke

Straight vinegar only. It is only 5% acid so will not harm any thing and if you mix it with water it will not do as well as straight